On Sunday, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina expressed support for President Trump’s executive orders aimed at law firms representing his legal opponents, stating, “I hope they face consequences.”
“Private businesses have assisted the government in a way that has sought to ruin Donald Trump’s life… Our constituents believe the Justice Department was weaponized to undermine Trump’s campaign, his business interests, and to harm his family,” Graham remarked on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” “If those involved face repercussions, they have no one to blame but themselves.”
Continuing his fight against the legal sector, Mr. Trump signed an executive order on Friday targeting the New York firm Paul, Weiss, which suspended security clearances for its employees and limited their access to federal buildings and officials. CBS News has reached out to Paul, Weiss for a response.
Earlier that same day, Mr. Trump delivered a speech at the Department of Justice, voicing his concerns regarding federal investigations into him and pledging to seek retribution against his political adversaries.
“We’re putting an end to four long years of corruption, weaponization, and capitulation to violent criminals,” Mr. Trump declared. “And we are reinstating fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law.”
The executive order issued on Friday marked the third deliberate action taken by the president against a notable law firm.
In February, Mr. Trump targeted Covington & Burling, a firm representing former special counsel Jack Smith, who oversaw the investigation leading to charges against Mr. Trump in two jurisdictions prior to the election.
Earlier this month, Mr. Trump signed an order to suspend the security clearances of attorneys at Perkins Coie, a law firm connected to Democratic-funded opposition research into supposed ties between Mr. Trump and Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign. However, on Wednesday, a federal judge temporarily blocked that order, ruling it unlawfully targeted Perkins Coie and infringed upon its First Amendment rights.
During his appearance on “Face the Nation,” Graham asserted that these law firms were advocating legal theories aimed more at achieving political outcomes than legal ones.
“I believe Jack Smith was driven by political motives. Many involved in the Russian hoax should have been held accountable, but they were not. The notion that President Trump acted as a Russian agent was fabricated. The Steele Dossier was based on falsehoods from a source who claimed he never intended for it to be used in such a manner. I think Jack Smith’s efforts to prosecute President Trump over January 6 were politically charged,” Graham stated. “And I don’t mind him pursuing those attempting to dismantle President Trump in a lawful manner.”
Last week, Mr. Trump hinted at further actions against law firms in the future.
“We have numerous law firms that we will be targeting because they are incredibly dishonest people,” Mr. Trump remarked. “This behavior is detrimental to our country.”
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